Many Christians—I assume with good intentions—take up the cultural warrior sword, a bit like Peter in Gethsemane. When their Christian principles are attacked they respond in kind, drawing their weapon and striking their opponent. I think Jesus just might shut down their reckless emotionalism like he did Peter: “Put your sword into its sheath” (John 18:11).

There is something tempting about being a cultural warrior. We jump into battle on social media, in our Sunday School lessons, occasionally in our work.

Our day seems ripe for war. We hear of wars and rumors of wars. There is no shortage of cultural landmines to step on, or ideological trip-wires to activate. Daily we’re provided with new fronts for the battle. There are many thoughts to contradict and many philosophies to oppose (Col 2:8).

Yet we must be clear not only on what issues to engage, but the manner in which to engage. This is uniquely necessary for pastors, who should exemplify what faithful engagement looks like. If I read your tweets and blog posts and can’t tell if you’re a pastor or Rambo, something is wrong. But the lesson holds true for every Christian.

Many Christians—I assume with good intentions—take up the cultural warrior sword, a bit like Peter in Gethsemane. When their Christian principles are attacked they respond in kind, drawing their weapon and striking their opponent. I think Jesus just might shut down their reckless emotionalism like he did Peter: “Put your sword into its sheath” (John 18:11).

Others Christians oppose worldly ideologies with imprecatory pronouncements, as if they were the disciples: “And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’” They too have a word from Jesus: “But he turned and rebuked them” (Luke 9:54–55).

Cultural warriors may use the Bible, but very rarely are governed by it. They may get obvious results, but it will not be wrought by the power of God, for it will not be based on the Word of God. Therefore, this way of engaging the world will not bring glory to God.

Whether we are pastors leading a church, members posting on Facebook, or even police officers patrolling our beat, we must expose works of darkness and be lights in the world—letting our light shine before others. God has assigned us with different jobs and authorities: the pastor one thing, the police officer another, and so on. Yet no matter who we are, we’re called to engage the culture we’re in with a mindset they don’t know. After all, we have the mind of Christ. We have the Spirit of Christ. We have the living and active Word of Christ. These glorious realities should govern our engagement. Not only must we fight the battles we should, but we must fight those battles in a certain kind of way—a way that brings glory to God.

How to Engage

How then are we to engage the cultural battles and wars we find ourselves in? Here are some suggestions for consideration. Hopefully, they will move us away from the cultural-warrior face paint and toward distinctly Christian ambassadorial faithfulness.

First, we must remember that, first and foremost, we always represent another kingdom.

Some things encourage me every time I’m reminded of them, such as this truth: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

Often, I’m tempted to respond in a worldly way to what I view as worldly problems. But that’s not the realm I’m called to live in. That’s not the citizenship I’m to be dominated by. Rather, I’m to act and live as an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom—his other-worldly kingdom. Again, that’s true whether my full-time job is to make disciples or make arrests.

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